A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

The atmosphere at today's banquet was very pleasant; even Gu Xixi drank three small cups of alcohol, while Mu Nanzhao remained completely abstaining.

He should be very clear-headed.

Gu Xixi didn't see the slightest reluctance or even the slightest pity on his face.

Until Gu Qingye's figure walked further and further away, eventually disappearing into the night and becoming no longer visible.

Mu Nanzhao noticed that Gu Xixi was staring at him, so he turned to her and asked, "Is something the matter?"

"You..." Gu Xixi started to speak, but suddenly felt there was no need to continue asking.

He then smiled and asked, "What kind of filling do people in Beijing eat for the Lantern Festival?"

Mu Nanzhao was taken aback. "Why did you think of asking this?"

Gu Xixi gazed at the night sky above, a longing smile on her face. "I heard from Jinglan that there is no curfew in the capital on the Lantern Festival. The whole city revels together, and the streets are ablaze with lights, dazzling and beautiful like a dream?"

Mu Nanzhao was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, "I don't know."

Gu Xixi looked at him in surprise, "You've been an official in the capital for many years, how could you not know?"

Mu Nanzhao said, "I have never been away for the Lantern Festival, so naturally I don't know."

Gu Xixi was filled with questions. "Why?"

"Such a wonderful spectacle, everyone would want to go out and join in the fun. Especially since you were once a young boy, how could you possibly stay at home during the Lantern Festival?"

Mu Nanzhao pursed his lips and looked away. "Yes, I should go take my medicine."

Gu Xixi watched him walk away, frowning in confusion. Was his reaction just now... guilty?

The next day, before dawn, it started snowing again.

The tiny, millet-like snowflakes fell in a fine, dense layer, accumulating on the ground.

Two sedan chair bearers and a slightly worn red silk sedan chair quietly left Huachidu Village, stepping through the snow.

Gu Qingye sat in the sedan chair, holding only a small bundle containing clothes.

At this time, most families in the village were still fast asleep, and no one joined in the festivities or offered congratulations.

There wasn't even a single person to escort the bride.

In the afternoon, Gu Xixi put down a bottle of water that had been clarified and separated from the soil, picked up the hot water bottle, and breathed a sigh of relief.

The first step in the task entrusted to her by the Northwest Army has finally yielded results.

Without modern equipment, she could only analyze the soil samples she collected layer by layer using rudimentary methods.

Aside from the fatal drawback of being too saline-alkali.

The soil is loose, with low compaction, and has moderate original fertility.

The overall terrain is relatively suitable for planting grains such as wheat, millet, and sorghum.

Taking into account local climate factors, the winters are too cold to be suitable for planting winter wheat.

Therefore, the final choice should be...

There was a knock on the door. Aunt Zhang whispered, pressing her ear against the door, "Xi, are you still busy?"

Usually, when Gu Xixi is busy behind closed doors, Aunt Zhang will be careful not to disturb her.

So Aunt Zhang must have something to say when she comes over at this time.

Gu Xixi snapped back to reality. "It's alright, Auntie, come in."

Aunt Zhang slipped into the house and closed the door behind her. "Your second grandfather is here."

Gu Xixi frowned, puzzled. "Why did he come? Did he say what he wanted to say?"

Aunt Zhang said, "He just said he missed you and came to visit."

Gu Xixi remained silent.

A few days ago, there was a constant stream of customers, but not a single one of them had the surname Gu.

With the New Year holidays almost over, someone of Master Gu's generation actually came to visit in person again.

As she got up to tidy the table, she asked, "Besides Second Grandfather, who else is there?"

“It’s gone.” Aunt Zhang shook her head, displeased. “That’s why this is so difficult.”

“We didn’t visit him for the New Year this year, and he didn’t bring any of his grandchildren with him; he came alone.”

"It would make us seem like we don't know any manners!"

Gu Xixi pondered for a moment and said, "It doesn't matter, let's see what he has to say."

Previously, when Gu Xixi had a conflict with Grandpa Gu and Gu Laosan's family, Second Master Gu seemed to be trying to smooth things over, but in reality, he was still siding with Grandpa Gu and Gu Laosan.

So Gu Xixi didn't go to pay New Year's visits, not because of negligence.

Rather, she had already decided not to have much contact with these people.

As she was leaving, Gu Xixi whispered to Aunt Zhang, "Change the tea. Use the cheapest tea from the can, just a few leaves, don't waste any."

Aunt Zhang covered her mouth and chuckled, "Okay!"

In the main room, only Shi Tou sat helplessly on the kang (a heated brick bed), keeping the guests company.

Seeing Gu Xixi enter, Shi Tou was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Sister Xixi!"

Gu Xixi smiled and waved at him, "Didn't you make plans to go out and have fun? Go on."

Stone understood, "Oh right, I'll go find Gouwa!"

He was talking to that old man, and it was so boring, he had to run away!

Gu Xixi greeted Second Master Gu with a smile, "The roads are slippery with snow, Second Grandfather, why did you come all by yourself?"

A hint of unease flashed across Master Gu's face. "It's been too long since I've seen you, so I just came to visit."

He said, feigning a joke, "What? You don't welcome Second Grandfather?"

"Where?" Gu Xixi sat down gracefully on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

She poured a cup of tea, placed it in front of Master Gu, and then remained silent.

Since the old man said he just wanted to come and take a look, then let him take a good look.

After Master Gu finished his cup of tea, Gu Xixi immediately refilled it.

So Master Gu drank three cups of weak tea, until his stomach was full.

Seeing the teapot spout coming at him again, he quickly pushed it away, saying, "Don't pour it."

Gu Xixi was obedient; she said "oh," put down the teapot, and continued to stare at Gu Erye.

Finally, Master Gu could no longer contain himself. He coughed lightly, still keeping a straight face for fear of lowering his status.

"The conflict between you and your third uncle's family, and your great-grandfather, has never had anything to do with our two families, right?"

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "Mm."

Seeing that Gu Xixi's attitude was lukewarm, Second Master Gu could only continue, "Actually, Second Grandfather cares about you."

“In the past, I was caught in the middle and had to treat everyone equally.”

Gu Xixi sneered inwardly. Is that what you call being fair? You're just showing favoritism.

Seeing that Gu Xixi didn't say anything and still had a smile on her face, Second Master Gu assumed that she believed him.

So he continued to flatter his elders, saying, "You had a bumper millet harvest last year, and your name has spread to other villages."

"All my relatives and friends have come to me asking you how it's possible to produce so much millet?"

Gu Xixi had not yet spoken.

Master Gu said, "I know you're busy, so you don't need to bother. Just tell me, and I'll write it down and tell everyone later so that everyone will remember your kindness."

Now, Gu Xixi couldn't help but put a cold smile on her face.

"I haven't even said anything yet, and you've already made all the arrangements for me?"

Master Gu opened his mouth to speak, but Gu Xixi interrupted him, saying, "It's all about making everyone remember my good deeds."

"Or did you hear that I have a secret recipe, and you want to use it not only for your own purposes but also to do favors for others?"

"You! What are you saying!" Second Master Gu stammered, his old face turning red.

Gu Xixi's expression was indifferent as she picked up her teacup. "Unlike some people, I speak human language, of course."

Now Master Gu had no choice but to confirm that Gu Xixi was indeed serving tea to get rid of the guests.

He immediately flew into a rage, "Xixi, are you trying to alienate everyone?!"